The Bell Cliff, Broad Street, Lyme Regis.
Phase 1 renewal completed by Heritage & Home. September 2025.
Heritage significance for Lyme Regis:
The Bell Cliff sits at the bottom of Broad Street and is one of Lyme Regis’s most historic corners. Named for the old alarm bell that once hung here, the stepped promontory frames views across Lyme Bay and gives Broad Street its dramatic dropped end.
The timber-framed buildings at Bell Cliff date from as early as the late 16th or early 17th century, making them among the oldest in town. For centuries, the area served as both a commercial doorstep and a public platform — in the 18th and 19th centuries it hosted speeches and electioneering. Decorative guns and cannons recall its role in coastal defence.
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Today, the Bell Cliff building is a charming tearoom and restaurant, preserving its plain gabled silhouette seen in postcards and photographs from the early 1900s. Visitors often describe it as delightful, not just for the historic atmosphere, but for the warm, welcoming service — the staff clearly adore the place and the owner, who is much loved by them, making every visit a truly memorable experience.
